The word "shinai" is derived from the verb , meaning "to bend, to flex", and was originally short for shinai-take (flexible bamboo). Shinai is written with the kanji , meaning "bamboo sword", and is an irregular kanji reading.
In kendo, it is most common to use a single shinai, sometimes called itto style. Some kendoka choose to use two shinai. This kendo style is usually called , a style that has its roots in the two-sword schools of swordsmanship such as Hyōhō Niten Ichi-ryū. A ni-to combatant uses a long shinai called the , which is usually held in the left hand, and a shorter shinai, called the , which is usually held in the right hand. The daitō may be slightly shorter and lighter than a shinai used in the itto style of kendo. Specifications for shinai used in kendo competitions that follow the International Kendo Federation (FIK) rules, are below.
Sizes and style of shinai vary. For example, an adult may be able to use a shinai that is too heavy for a younger person, so shinai with different sizes and characteristics are made. Shinai are available in many styles and balances. A shinai should not be confused with a bokutō, which has a much more similar shape and length to a Japanese sword and is made from a single piece of wood. However, both shinai and bokken are used in kendo.
The slats of a shinai are usually made from dried bamboo. Some may also be treated by smoking them, or soaking them in resin. Shinai slats are also made of carbon fibre, reinforced resin, or other approved alternative materials.
The shinai comprises four slats known as , which are held together by three leather fittings: a hilt, or handle fitting (); a fitting at the tip () and a leather strip () that binds the four slats. The parts are all secured with a string ().
The nakayui is tied about one-third of the length of the exposed bamboo from the tip . This holds the slats together and also marks the proper kendo striking portion of the shinai, or .
Inserted between the ends of the slats, under the saki-gawa, is a plastic plug , and under the tsuka-gawa there is a small square of metal , that holds the slats in place.
A hand-guard is then fitted at the point where the tsuka-gawa ends and the bamboo slats begin. This is held in place by a rubber ring .
Many people believe that oiling and sanding a shinai prior to its first use, and then periodically during use, can greatly extend its life. However, some disagreement exists on what is considered proper shinai care.
To properly inspect a shinai, one first examines the area around the datotsu-bu, inspecting all sides of the shinai for splinters. This is very important, as bamboo splinters can easily cause injury. The saki-gawa should be intact and the tsuru should be tight so that the saki-gawa does not slip off the end of the shinai during use. In addition, the nakayui should be tight enough as not to rotate easily.
When not in use, shinai are rested against a wall with the handle pointing downward. When a shinai is placed on the ground, it is considered very poor etiquette to step over it.
+Table A. FIK Specifications for competition use of one Shinai (Itto). | ! Specification | ! Gender | ! Junior High School (12–15 yrs) | ! Senior High School (15–18 yrs) | ! University students and Adults (18yrs+) |
Male & female | 114cm | 117cm | 120cm | ||
Male | 440g | 480g | 510g | ||
Female | 400g | 420g | 440g | ||
Male | 25mm | 26mm | 26mm | ||
Female | 24mm | 25mm | 25mm | ||
Male and Female | 50mm | 50mm | 50mm |
+ Table B. FIK Specifications for competition use of two Shinai (Nito). | !Specification | !Gender | !Daito (long shinai) | !Shoto (short shinai) |
Male & female | 114cm | 62cm | ||
Male | 440g minimum | 280~300g maximum | ||
Female | 400g minimum | 250~280g maximum | ||
Male | 25mm | 24mm | ||
Female | 24mm | 24mm | ||
+Commercial Shinai Sizing | ||||||
Size | Length | ! Size | Length | |||
! 28 | 36" | 92 cm | 36 | 44" | 112 cm | |
30 | 38" | 97 cm | 37 | 45" | 114 cm | |
32 | 40" | 102 cm | 38 | 46" | 117 cm | |
34 | 42" | 107 cm | 39 | 47" | 120 cm |
Some schools cover the entire bamboo in the sleeve and add a tsuba, like Kashima Shinden Jikishinkage-ryū does. In Shinkage-ryū, the sleeve is lacquered Kamakura Red, and rather than covering the entire length, is tied off at the non-split end. This particular kind of fukuro-shinai is also called a , or toad-skin shinai. The name comes from how the leather looks after lacquering; the sleeves are actually made of cow- or horse-hide.
Category:Japanese sword types Category:Japanese words and phrases
bg:Шинай ca:Shinai da:Shinai de:Shinai el:Σινάι es:Shinai fa:شینای fr:Shinai ko:죽도 hr:Shinai it:Shinai lt:Šinajus hu:Sinai (kard) nl:Shinai ja:竹刀 no:Shinai pl:Shinai pt:Shinai ru:Синай (меч) fi:Shinai sv:Shinai th:ชิไน uk:Сінай (меч) zh:竹刀This text is licensed under the Creative Commons CC-BY-SA License. This text was originally published on Wikipedia and was developed by the Wikipedia community.
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